Newly released decks from Art of PlayArt of Play is known for its fine collection of carefully curated decks of high quality playing cards, many of which are optimized for cardistry or for playing card games. Run by cardistry innovators and pioneers Dan and Dave Buck, it is not only a paradise for those who appreciate unique games, puzzles, and playing cards, but it is also the online label under which the Buck twins produce their own brand of playing cards.
The Art of Play website has been carrying a wide range of literally hundreds of custom playing cards already since 2013, but in recent years Dan and Dave have more and more been making a unique contribution to the playing card industry by producing their own decks of cards, with many colourful and impressive designs that are especially popular with cardists. So if you're looking for a quality deck of playing cards - whether it's something classy for your poker night, something impressive for your family game of Hearts or Spades, something sophisticated for your card magic, or something eye-catching for your card flourishing - look no further: Art of Play has you covered with great decks like these.
I've covered quite a large number of Art of Play's attractive decks previously, but this time I'd like to cover a number of their recently released decks, many of which continue series of other popular decks.
*** NEW SERIES ***The Harmony CollectionThe
Harmony Collection is a brand new set from Art of Play consisting of four decks: Sea, Land, Air, and Space. The tuck boxes of these four different decks are lively and colourful designs, with the artwork created by artist Mauro Martins from Brazil.
In the words of the ad copy, this series "
celebrates our planet's natural resources with four unique decks representing Sea, Land, Air, and Space. Together they embody our oneness as seen from the stars."
The faces of the cards in each deck have a borderless background pattern with colours that fit with the rest of the deck. Besides the indices there are no pips, but that's because of the busy design which offers enough interest on its own.
The card backs are a busy, one-way borderless design, that is engaging and intriguing - and unique to each deck.
The artwork on each court card is repeated for each suit, although different colours are used for the traditionally black suits and the traditionally red suits. That means all the Kings have matching artwork, as do the Queens, and the Jacks. Even so there is a highly customized feel due to the intense patterns of the surrounding design, and the unique graphic style that flows through the entire deck, including two custom Jokers.
And of course the artwork in each of the four decks is unique to that deck. For the court cards, the Space deck features different astronauts, the Air deck has birds, the Land deck has large African mammals, while the Sea deck has some mythical merfolk.
There is a unity of style between the decks, and yet each deck has its own flavour and style, appropriate to the domain it is depicting. These are all lively and fun decks with a very light-hearted and original feel.
As an extra indication of their own commitment to preserving our planet for future generations to enjoy, Art of Play has pledged to plant one tree for each Harmony deck that is sold.
RecommendationThese new designs from
Art of Play continue Art of Play's stellar reputation in producing wonderful decks for card magic and card flourishing, as well as novelty designs, with the Optical Illusion deck being an especially fine example of the latter. By collaborating with world class artists and creative thinkers, Dan and Dave Buck continue to ensure that their growing catalogue includes fresh new designs that are the kind of thing that consumers today are looking for.
Not only do these decks feature the best in looks, but as always the creativity of the designs is matched by quality materials and tuck boxes. High quality embossed air-cushioned cards ensure durability as well as smooth handling and consistent performance. The above decks are prime examples of the high quality designs that Art of Play is contributing to the playing card industry.
Whether your interest is in card games, card magic, card flourishing, or even just card collecting, you're almost certain to find some treasures in Art of Play's growing collection, and the decks reviewed here are fine examples of what they offer. If you enjoy quality playing cards, puzzles, or games, then you definitely need to check out whether they can help improve the tools in your hands when you are at play. After all, these guys have turned play into an art!
What to learn more? Check out
Art of Play:
- Official website:
artofplay.com- Social media:
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Pinterest Direct links for items featured in this review series:
New series:
The Harmony Collection (Sea, Land, Air, Space)
Continued series:
DKNG Black Wheels,
Peau Doux (Silver Edition),
NOC Colorgrades (Desert Orange + Tropic Green)
New stand-alone:
Illusion d'Optique
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